Do Re MiC D E

In The Still Of The Night

Porter Cole4/4up-tempo-swing

Chord Diagrams — In The Still Of The Night in F (Guitar)

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In The Still Of The Night in F

Key of F

F major is the gateway to barre chords. While F itself requires a full barre at fret 1, the remaining diatonic chords (C, Dm, Am, G, Bb) mix open and barre shapes. The open high E acts as Fmaj7's seventh, adding unexpected richness. F is a intermediate-level key on guitar because the open high E string is the major seventh of F, creating a lush Fmaj7 resonance even in basic shapes, but the F barre chord itself is the first big hurdle for beginners. This key mixes open and barre shapes, making it a good intermediate challenge that builds fretboard fluency.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to D (ascending whole step), D to B (descending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A (ascending major third), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G# to F by minor third.

Scales for Improvisation

F major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, F Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

up-tempo-swing4/4 · 72 bars · Form: ABCC

Chords: Fmaj7, A♯7, Gm7, C7, Dm7, Bm7♭5, E7♭9, Am7, D7, F6, A7♯5, A♯7♯11, Am7♭5, A♯m6, F6/A, G♯dim7.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F